Neuroplasticity therapy using glia-like cells derived from human mesenchymal stem cells for the recovery of cerebral infarction sequelae

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

Despite a worldwide rise in ischemic stroke, effective treatments to attenuate cerebral infarction sequelae remain limited. This study evaluates human mesenchymal stem cells induced toward glia-like cells (ghMSCs) for recovery after cerebral infarction. Transcriptome and organotypic brain slice assays show ghMSCs display astrocytic traits and stronger neuroregenerative/neuroprotective effects than hMSCs. Benefits depend on CXCR2 signaling, restore neurobehavioral function in rats, and increase neuroplasticity contributing to improved chronic recovery.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

INTRODUCTION

Rationale for new therapies

Limits of existing treatments and brain recovery capacity

Potential of cell-based approaches

Study focus and prior cell-therapy context

Original Article Neuroplasticity therapy using glia-like cells derived from human mesenchymal stem cells for the recovery of cerebral infarction sequelae Eun Ji Lee, 1,9 Min-Ju Lee,2,9 Ye Jin Ryu, 1 Sang-Hyeon Nam,2 Rokhyun Kim,3,4 Sehyeon Song,2,5 Kyunghyuk Park,3 Young Jun Park,3 Jong-Il Kim,3,4,6 Seong-Ho Koh, 1,7, 10 and Mi-Sook Chang2,5,8, 10 1Department of Translational Medical Science, Hanyang University Graduate School of Biomedical Science & Engineering, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; 2Laboratory of Stem Cell & Neurobiology, Department of Oral Anatomy and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; 3Genomic Medicine Institute (GMI), Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; 5Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; 6Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; 7Department of Neurology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Gyeonggi-do 11923, Republic of Korea; 8Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea Despite a dramatic increase in ischemic stroke incidence worldwide, effective therapies for attenuating sequelae of cerebral infarction are lacking. This study investigates the use of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) induced toward glia-like cells (ghMSCs) to ameliorate chronic sequelae resulting from cerebral infarction. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that ghMSCs exhibited astrocytic characteristics, and assessments conducted ex vivo using organotypic brain slice cultures demonstrated that ghMSCs exhibited superior neuroregenerative and neuroprotective activity against ischemic damage compared to hMSCs. The observed beneﬁcial effects of ghMSCs were diminished by pre-treatment with a CXCR2 antagonist, indicating a direct role for CXCR2 signaling. Studies conducted in rats subjected to cerebral infarction demonstrated that ghMSCs restored neurobehavioral functions and reduced chronic brain infarction in a dose-dependent manner when transplanted at the subacute-to-chronic phase. These beneﬁcial impacts were also inhibited by a CXCR2 antagonist. Molecular analyses conﬁrmed that increased neuroplasticity contributed to ghMSCs’ neuroregenerative effects. These data indicate that ghMSCs hold promise for treating refractory sequelae resulting from cerebral infarction by enhancing neuroplasticity and identify CXCR2 signaling as an important mediator of ghMSCs’ mechanism of action. INTRODUCTION Stroke ranks as the second leading cause of mortality, following ischemic heart disease. The prevalence of stroke, including instances of young-onset stroke, is anticipated to rise signiﬁcantly in the coming years.1,2 Cerebral infarction due to ischemia accounts for over 80% of strokes,3 and, while thrombolytic therapies exist, approximately 50% of patients who receive such therapy following the onset of ischemic cerebral infarction fail to respond.4 Moreover, while oral antithrom- botic drugs may prevent the recurrence of cerebral infarction, they are not treatments for already damaged brain areas. Since 50%–80% of patients with cerebral infarction suffer from serious neurological aftereffects, which increase the social and economic burden on patients and their guardians, there is a critical need for novel therapies that preserve or restore the function of brain regions damaged by cerebral infarction.5 It is widely acknowledged that the adult brain has a limited capacity for regeneration after injuries and that this capacity diminishes as humans age.6 Considering that most patients with cerebral infarction are elderly, it is unrealistic to ex

FAQs

What treatment approach does the study investigate for cerebral infarction sequelae?

The study investigates human mesenchymal stem cells induced toward glia-like cells (ghMSCs) to improve chronic sequelae after cerebral infarction.

How do ghMSCs perform compared with standard hMSCs?

Ex vivo organotypic brain slice cultures indicate ghMSCs provide superior neuroregenerative and neuroprotective activity against ischemic damage compared with hMSCs.

What signaling mechanism is linked to the observed therapeutic benefits?

Pre-treatment with a CXCR2 antagonist diminishes the beneficial effects, and molecular analyses indicate that enhanced neuroplasticity and CXCR2 signaling mediate the mechanism of action.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven